The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD – In our huge “Best e-mountainbike of 2023” group test

The € 12,799 GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ LTD 2023 takes on the competition with a proprietary GIANT SyncDrive Pro 2 motor, 800 Wh battery and FOX’s electronic Live Valve suspension. How does it fare out on the trail in our 2023 eMTB group test?

**GIANT** Trance X Advance E+ LTD | GIANT SyncDrive Pro 2/800 Wh | 150/140 mm (f/r)
23.5 kg in size L | € 12,799 | Manufacturer’s website

As one of the biggest bike manufacturers on the planet, GIANT should be familiar to most riders. The Trance is the Taiwanese brand’s true evergreen and has been an integral part of their portfolio for the last two decades. Combining 150/140 mm travel, at the front and rear, it’s the smaller sibling of the Reign E+, and was designed to be a true all-rounder for all types of terrain. With its curved frame silhouette and proprietary Maestro suspension, it’s distinctly recognisable as a GIANT. Both the components and frame details of our LTD special edition are perfectly matched to the discreet paint finish, ensuring an overall harmonious look – except for the somewhat bulbous down tube. In our 2023 eMTB group test, it’s one of the bikes with the most electronic parts, including a wireless drivetrain, intelligent suspension system and tire pressure sensors – accompanied with not one, but three apps!

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 – 30 models in review

Tech heaven – what distinguishes the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD 2023 from the rest of the test field?

If you’re a tech freak, you’ll get pearls of cold sweat running down your forehead just by looking at the spec sheet of the GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ LTD. The bling Factory suspension features not only the fancy Kashima coating, but also FOX’s electronic Live Valve system, which draws its power directly from the bike’s main battery. It’s a bit like a sofa: lean back and relax! In a nutshell, FOX’s Live Valve technology does all the work for you, adjusting the compression damping of the fork and shock based on the current riding conditions. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have any influence on the system: using the FOX Live Valve app, you can choose from individual riding modes including Open, Comfort, Sport, Firm and Commute, which adapt the suspension’s behaviour to respective riding situations. Unfortunately, the system still relies on countless cables, which are scattered all around the frame, making for a somewhat messy look. The GIANT is the only bike in this test that features a 85 Nm SyncDrive Pro 2 motor, which is based on Yamaha’s PW-X3 powerhouse. Of course, this many electric components use plenty of power, which is why GIANT developed a new, massive 800-Wh battery for the Trance X Advanced E+ LTD – the biggest one in this test. If you want to embark on epic backcountry expeditions, you can plug in the optional 250 Wh range extender, which retails at € 599.90 and allows you to expand the battery capacity to a whopping 1,050 Wh. Moreover, the battery can be easily removed from the downtube using a Torx key. The GIANT RideControl GO display in the top tube shows the battery status and support modes using different colours – a bit like Bosch’s System Controller.

**Powerhouse**
The GIANT is the only bike in this test to come equipped with a powerful 85 Nm SyncDrive Pro 2 motor, which is based on the Yamaha PW-X3.

**To the moon and back**
Not only is GIANT’s proprietary 800 Wh Energy Pak the biggest battery in the entire test field, but it can also be expanded with the optional 250-Wh range extender, allowing you to embark on epic backcountry adventures.

**Peace of mind**
FOX’s electronic Live Valve system adjusts the compression damping of the fork and shock based on the current trail and riding conditions.

The minimalist handlebar remote blends in nicely with the clean look of the one-piece carbon cockpit. The stem length and the angle of the handlebar can be adjusted by shims insides the one-piece carbon cockpit. Unlike the Trek Fuel Exe, which combines all of the functions in one central app, the GIANT requires you to download three different apps: one for the suspension, one for the motor system and a third one for the tire pressure sensors – huge respect to whoever manages to keep track of all this information! That being said, you should definitely keep an eye on the tire pressure using the electronic TyreWiz sensors, because that’s the only way you’ll prevent the expensive Zipp 3ZERO MOTO carbon wheelset from exploding. Why? For the tires, GIANT rely on fellow Taiwanese brand MAXXIS, combining a 2.6” ASSEGAI in the paper-thin EXO casing at the front and 2.6″ DISSECTOR in the slightly tougher EXO+ casing at the rear. Heavy and aggressive riders should upgrade to the even tougher DoubleDown casing, which offers better puncture protection and shields the rims from nasty impacts. Both tires come standard in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound, which we recommend swapping straight away for the softer, grippier MaxxGrip version, at least at the front.

**Confusing**
The GIANT’s motor settings, suspension modes and tire pressures can all be set directly from a smartphone app – actually 3!

**Under constant threat**
The bling Zipp 3ZERO MOTO carbon wheelset is paired with thin-cased MAXXIS tires, which can’t protect the expensive rims from nasty impacts.

GIANT Trance X Advance E+ LTD

€ 12,799

Specifications

Motor GIANT SyncDrive Pro 2 85 Nm
Battery GIANT Energy Pack 800 Wh
Display GIANT RideControl GO
Fork FOX 36 Factory Live Valve 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Live Valve 140 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM AXS Eagle X01 1x12
Stem GIANT Contact SLR One Piece 40 mm
Handlebar GIANT Contact SLR One Piece 800 mm
Wheelset Zipp 3ZERO MOTO 29"
Tires Maxxis ASSEGAI 3C MaxxTerra EXO/MAXXIS DISSECTOR 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 2.6/2.6

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 23.5 kg
Perm. total weight 156 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 132 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Range extender
Flip-Chip
TyreWiz
FOX Live Valve

Tuning tips: Use conventional handlebars and stem to raise the front end | More robust tires with tougher DoubleDown casing for aggressive riding

What is the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD 2023 capable of on the trail?

In theory, the GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ LTD has the potential to be an excellent long-distance tourer. In practice, however, the low front end combined with the long reach make it unsuitable for this purpose, resulting in a rather uncomfortable, stretched-out pedalling position – and changing the geometry with the flip-chip doesn’t improve things either. On level ground, the low front end puts lots of pressure on your hands, but as the gradient increases, it has its advantages, preventing the front wheel from lifting off the ground, even on very steep climbs. Here the Live Valve plays a crucial role too, making sure the rear suspension always sits high in its travel. Especially in Turbo mode, the motor is extremely powerful, but the Automatic mode isn’t tuned as harmoniously as Bosch’s eMTB mode.

**Full steam ahead**
When riding uphill, the low front end prevents the front wheel from lifting, while the powerful motor provides power assistance even on steep climbs.

**OTB**
Downhill, the low front end triggers unnerving OTB moments, robbing you of confidence on steep descents.

While your mates are still faffing around with their climb switch at the trailhead, you’re already halfway down the mountain, with the FOX Live Valve taking care of your suspension settings. Especially on flow trails, the system provides tons of support, allowing you to generate speed by pumping through rollers – provided you ride in a straight line! In the corners, the Trance feels rather sluggish, slowing you down and requiring great physical effort to swing the bike around tight bends. The low front end sticks to the ground like Velcro, making it hard to pop off ledges. On rougher, steeper descents, the suspension quickly reaches its limits, sinking deep into its travel and robbing you of comfort. Moreover, the weight is unevenly distributed between the front and rear, triggering unnerving OTB moments on steep trail sections and nasty drops. To improve this, you can set the FOX Live Valve suspension to a harder setting for more support. In long, open corners, on the other hand, the GIANT generates tons of traction and is easy to ride, even for beginners.

The big battery and powerful motor enable epic climbing adventures on fire roads.

Größe	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	425 mm	450 mm	475 mm
Top tube	577 mm	607 mm	637 mm	667 mm
Head tube	95 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm
Head angle	65.7°	65.8°	65.8°	65.8°
Seat angle	77.2°	76°	76°	76°
Chainstays	473 mm	473 mm	473 mm	473 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1,220 mm	1,239 mm	1,268 mm	1,300 mm
Reach	439 mm	457 mm	482 mm	510 mm
Stack	606 mm	611 mm	621 mm	630 mm

**Helmet** Endura MT 500 MIPS | **Glasses** evil eye traileye ng | **Backpack** USWE Airborne 15 | **Jersey** Fox Ranger | **Pants** Specialized Demo pro pants | **Kneepad** POC OSEUS | **Shoes** ION Scrub AMP | **Socks** ION | **Gloves** Fox Dirtpaw

Who should take a closer look at the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD 2023 and who should look elsewhere?

The GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ LTD is a good match for tech nerds who like a sporty riding position and have a penchant for long climbing sessions. The big battery and powerful motor enable epic climbs on fire roads. Downhill, the GIANT feels most comfortable on moderate flow-trails, while rowdy riders who are looking for a potent trail bruiser should take a closer look at the Orbea WILD.

The spec sheet of the GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ LTD is like a porn magazine for tech nerds.

Riding Characteristics

DESIGN

unbalanced
coherent

USER FRIENDLINESS

cumbersome
clever

VALUE FOR MONEY

flop
top

TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY

low
high

HANDLING

demanding
intuitive

FUN FACTOR

boring
lively

Intended Use

Gravel roads

Technical climbs

Flowtrail descents

Technical descents

Conclusions about the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ LTD 2023

With its countless extravagant gimmicks and top-tier components, the Trance X Advanced E+ LTD is nothing short of a high-tech orgy and, as a result, the most expensive GIANT of all time. Unfortunately, the extreme frame geometry prevents the components from fully interacting with each other, heavily limiting the bike’s performance, especially downhill. Uphill, on the other hand, the GIANT convinces with great composure and excellent traction. If you’re looking for a high-tech climbing machine with a huge battery, the Trance X Advanced E+ LTD might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Tops

Biggest battery capacity in the entire test field
Countless high-tech gimmicks for connectivity freaks

Flops

Narrow range of applications
Very stretched pedalling position
riggers unnerving OTB moments on steep trails

You can find out more about at giant-bicycles.com

The test field